analysis
One of Russia’s largest air strikes on Ukraine took place over the weekend with around 600 drones and 90 missiles. The capital Kyiv was particularly affected.
May 25, 2026, 5:22 p.mMay 25, 2026, 5:38 p.m
Kurt Pelda / ch media
Smoke pours from a building after a Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian capital.Image: keystone
When it comes to the war in Ukraine, many media outlets don’t take the facts too seriously. For example, British newspapers headlined: “Russia attacks Kiev with Oreshnik missile.” In fact, the Russians did not use this relatively new medium-range missile against the capital at the weekend, but against Bila Tserkva, a town around 80 kilometers from Kiev.
The Oreshnik is considered to be quite imprecise and can only be effective against large-scale targets with its cluster munitions. It can be assumed that the Bila Tserkva air base was intended to be hit. As nighttime video footage shows, the cluster munitions were not equipped with explosive warheads. It was therefore more of a symbolic attack that was promptly criticized by Russian military bloggers. An oreshnik probably costs the equivalent of more than 20 million francs.
An unusually large number of projectiles were fired in Kyiv. But here too, a lot of what is being spread is not true: the around 90 rockets and cruise missiles as well as around 600 drones were not fired at the capital alone, but at many targets throughout the country. The number of victims was limited for such a “monster attack” with four dead and almost 90 wounded in the greater Kiev area. On average, Russia fires just over 200 drones and missiles at Ukraine – per day.
Because Ukraine has greatly improved its drone defense, but the American Patriot guided missiles for missile defense are few and far between, missiles in particular were able to break through and cause considerable damage. A shopping center burned down in Kiev and numerous residential buildings were severely damaged. Apparently the Russians also targeted the city center around Independence Square. Pressure waves damaged, among other things, a sports stadium, the Foreign Ministry, the national art museum and the opera house. The studios of Deutsche Welle and ARD were also devastated. The deadliest attack on the capital to date left a total of 31 dead in July 2025. (aargauerzeitung.ch)